Ever wonder what these were meant for? Beer fans came prepared to haul their Divine Reserve home.

Ever wonder what these were meant for? Beer fans came prepared to haul their Divine Reserve home.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Omar Akbar improvised with a car shade to fend off the sun.

Omar Akbar improvised with a car shade to fend off the sun.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Others bided their time in the steamy heat, finding shade wherever they could.

Others bided their time in the steamy heat, finding shade wherever they could.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Two boxes of doughnuts for the earlybirds, courtesy of Saint Arnold's Lennie Ambrose, who showed up about 9:15 and handed them out.

Two boxes of doughnuts for the earlybirds, courtesy of Saint Arnold's Lennie Ambrose, who showed up about 9:15 and handed them out.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Frankie Verner was first in line at 7:40 a.m., with his wife, Melanie. The couple were buying DR12 for Frankie and for a friend whose wife just had a baby. "I knew he couldn't be here," says Frankie, a true friend in need. less

Frankie Verner was first in line at 7:40 a.m., with his wife, Melanie. The couple were buying DR12 for Frankie and for a friend whose wife just had a baby. "I knew he couldn't be here," says Frankie, a true ... more

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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The Spec's staff carefully arranged their first pallets of DR12 in six-packs and 22-ounce bombers. They decided to limit customers to two six-packs each, or two six-packs and one bomber, one six-pack and two bombers or three bombers. less

The Spec's staff carefully arranged their first pallets of DR12 in six-packs and 22-ounce bombers. They decided to limit customers to two six-packs each, or two six-packs and one bomber, one six-pack and two ... more

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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The crowd got some relief from the heat, but still had to wait.

The crowd got some relief from the heat, but still had to wait.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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The media was there to record the (controlled) mayhem.

The media was there to record the (controlled) mayhem.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Frankie and Melanie Verner take their star turn being interviewed on TV as the first customers in line.

Frankie and Melanie Verner take their star turn being interviewed on TV as the first customers in line.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Saint Arnold's marketing man Lennie Ambrose showed his true colors.

Saint Arnold's marketing man Lennie Ambrose showed his true colors.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Finally, at 10 a.m., the barrier was dropped and the thirsty throngs descended.

Finally, at 10 a.m., the barrier was dropped and the thirsty throngs descended.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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A full complement of cashiers kept the checkout lines moving quickly.

A full complement of cashiers kept the checkout lines moving quickly.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Cash and debit purchases got a price discount.

Cash and debit purchases got a price discount.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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"See you next time," he said on his way out.

"See you next time," he said on his way out.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Beer, TX (and "Houston Beer: A Heady History of Brewing in the Bayou City") reader Andy Benton is planning to age one six-pack for a year, one for two years and the bomber for five years. I admire his discipline. less

Beer, TX (and "Houston Beer: A Heady History of Brewing in the Bayou City") reader Andy Benton is planning to age one six-pack for a year, one for two years and the bomber for five years. I admire his ... more

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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There were familiar faces in line. I remember Richard Fernandez, in hat, and Omar Akbar, to his immediate right, from the DR8 release. Their friend Jason Lee got a box of beer.

There were familiar faces in line. I remember Richard Fernandez, in hat, and Omar Akbar, to his immediate right, from the DR8 release. Their friend Jason Lee got a box of beer.

The beers sell for a $15.99 (after a cash/debit card discount) per six-pack and $7.99 per bomber. I waited till the crowd was gone before taking a few to go myself. It was $34 well spent.

The beers sell for a $15.99 (after a cash/debit card discount) per six-pack and $7.99 per bomber. I waited till the crowd was gone before taking a few to go myself. It was $34 well spent.

Photo: Ronnie Crocker / Beer, TX

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Saint Arnold fans line up to celebrate a 12th Divine Day

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Saint Arnold fans have taken early lunch breaks and enlisted friends and family members to get their hands on Divine Reserve beers past. I’ve stood with them in the cold and, today, the steamy heat as they waited for the doors to open at Spec’s — one of many retailers around town that saw big crowds.

Today’s DR12 crowd was as much fun as any I have seen. I saw no sign of flagging interest in these limited-release beers.

See for yourself in the photo gallery above.

Look for “Houston Beer: A Heady History of Brewing in the Bayou City” in April 2012. Find out about signings and other events at facebook.com/HoustonBeerBook.